Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying delivered his maiden policy address on January 16, 2013, in which he unveiled a blueprint that will set policy direction in the next five years. Acknowledging soaring property prices and cramped living conditions, he said his top priority is housing.

Set up a special committee on standard working hours in the first quarter

HEALTH CARE

Redevelop Kwai Chung Hospital to target care of mental patients; expedite development of the reserved hospital site at the Kai Tak area

Quality review of Hospital Authority services

Maintain zero quota for births by mainland women in city unless their husbands are Hong Kong residents

EDUCATION

Committee to examine feasibility of free kindergarten schooling; kindergartens in the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme will receive an extra grant in 2013-14 for minor improvement works

ENVIRONMENT

Set aside HK$10 billion as subsidies for owners of more than 80,000 heavily polluting commercial vehicles in phasing-out scheme

Inject HK$5 billion into the Environment and Conservation Fund

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Launch a consultation on methods for electing the chief executive in 2017 and the Legislative Council in 2016 at an "appropriate time"

Scrap appointed district council seats from 2016

A one-off grant of HK$100 million for each district to carry out signature projects

OTHERS

No plan for a consultation on banning discrimination based on sex orientation

Unify fees on sports facilities at urban and New Territories venues

C.Y.’S TARGETS

ON HOUSING

I can put my hand on my heart and say the administration's main emphasis is on housing … if my team and I did not have vision, determination and commitment, you wouldn't have seen the achievements we made in the last six months in the public, subsidised and private housing markets.

The top priority of the government is to tackle the housing problem. We recognise that problems stemming from property prices and rental, cage homes, cubicle apartments and subdivided units cannot be solved overnight. But we must acknowledge these problems, understand the gravity of the situation and take the first step forward to resolve them.

Some people believe home ownership is not the only way to meet accommodation needs: it can be met just as well by rented flats. But I believe that home ownership by the middle class is crucial to social stability.

In considering whether a site should be developed, the use of the site after development, or how to accommodate different views and aspirations in the process of development, we do not have any perfect option ... But the fact is that the community will never reach a full consensus over such issues. In fact, we cannot afford to, and should not, wait for a full consensus.

THE ECONOMY

The deep-seated problems of Hong Kong cannot be solved overnight. But we need to grasp the nettle and take the first step to deal with them. We must act proactively to address the concerns of the people promptly. I have already rolled out an array of major policies over the past six months instead of withholding them for the policy address. The government is determined to deliver results. But we must act with one heart and one vision to tackle these problems.

To promote economic development, the government must be 'appropriately proactive'. The government should refrain from intervention when the market is functioning efficiently, except to ensure a level playing field. But in cases of market failure, the government must take appropriate action to address the problem.

First, it is imperative to pursue people's livelihood and the economy in tandem. Improving people's livelihood hinges on economic development. We promote economic development for the purpose of improving people's livelihood, and that in turn will provide a more stable business environment. Second, in pursuing economic development, we must seize the opportunities that come our way. In our drive to improve people's livelihood, we must take timely action to address the pressing needs of the community. Speedy action is required on both these fronts.

ON PUBLIC APPROVAL

If this policy address was written for me, maybe I should have saved the more welcome initiatives in the last six months and announced them now. But the policy address is not written for me. All the policies in this speech, along with those rolled out in the past, are written for the … people of Hong Kong.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Hong Kong has unparalleled natural endowments. With better environmental conservation, Hong Kong can be the loveliest city in the world. We boast successful co-existence of urban development and countryside and a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Both shores of Victoria Harbour present a unique cityscape. Our city has sophisticated infrastructure and convenient transportation systems: a half-hour ride will get us to beaches and country parks.

EDUCATION

I believe it is time to consolidate our education policies, and avoid drastic changes to give stakeholders some respite. Our future priority will be to ensure the quality of our education by further improving relevant measures in accordance with existing policies.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as A concrete action plan